Tool for use in loading cartridge magazines

ABSTRACT

A tool for use in loading cartridge magazines comprising an elongated body with two small spaced apart tangs projecting laterally at opposite ends. One tang enters the slot in the magazine and engages and holds the follower down to accommodate the entry of shells with the other tang engaging the upper end of the slot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cartridge magazines of the type used with firearms. More particularly, the invention relates to a tool which facilitates the loading of cartridges into a magazine. Conventionally, cartridge magazines include an elongated tubular housing or body with an open upper end, a closed lower end and an elongated slot along a side wall. A follower, slidably mounted in the magazine, is spring biased toward the open end of the magazine and urges cartridges stacked in the magazine toward the open end for ejection to a firing chamber. A small button on the follower projects through the slot along the side of the magazine and is manually manipulated to hold the follower down and away from the opening during loading of cartridges into the magazine. Normally, the magazine is held in one hand with the thumb forcing the small button downwardly to retract and hold the follower. The cartridges are then inserted one by one in a somewhat time consuming procedure. Substantial pressure is required to compress the spring and the button may easily slip beneath the thumb of the user resulting in jamming of the cartridges or cartridges may actually pop out through the opening. In short, loading of the magazine may be a somewhat difficult and clumsy procedure especially in competition where rapid re-loading may be a necessity. Evidence of the foregoing is found in a substantial number of prior art devices directed to solving the loading problem. While these devices may be satisfactory in one respect or another; none of them has been found completely satisfactory.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a tool which is simple in construction and which is yet highly efficient in operation and fills a long felt need in facilitating loading of cartridge magazines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention and in fulfillment of the foregoing object a tool is provided for use in loading elongated tubular cartridge magazines which have open ends at the top for loading and discharging cartridges, elongated slots along their sides and spring biased followers therewithin for urging cartridges toward the open ends. The tool has an elongated body with first and second small tangs at opposite ends which project laterally in the same direction. The tangs are spaced apart longitudinally so that one can be inserted into a magazine slot to engage an edge of the slot adjacent the open end of the magazine with the other also inserted in the slot in engagement with the follower and holding the same in an open position against the urging of the spring for ease in loading cartridges. The tang which is inserted into the slot adjacent the open end of the magazine is somewhat shorter than the other to accommodate cartridges passing through the magazine from the opening downwardly. Further, to retain the short tang in the slot, a small notch is provided in the side of the tang for receiving an edge portion of the magazine at the end of the slot.

For manual manipulation in holding the follower in the open position, magazines are conventionally provided with small buttons attached to the follower and exposed outwardly of the slot. In the event that such a button is engaged by the longer tang rather than the follower per se, operation remains the same. The button is urged in the direction to open the follower by the tang and in turn urges the follower to its open position.

Finally, a lanyard forming a loop is provided and is attached to the tool opposite the longer tang. With loop placed over the head of the user the tool may be removed from the magazine merely by exerting a nominal retractive force.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the tool partially engaged with a magazine,

FIG. 2 is a rear side view of a magazine with a tool of the invention fully engaged therewith,

FIG. 3 is a front view of a magazine with the tool of the invention partially engaged,

FIG. 4 is a front side view with the tool fully engaged,

FIG. 5 is a side view of the tool of the present invention, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a magazine, a tool engaged therewith and a lanyard disposed about the neck of a user in preparation for removal of the tool.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, a cartridge magazine is indicated generally at 10 and takes the form of a elongated tubular body open at the top and closed at the bottom with a base 12 and an elongated slot 14 along each side wall. A follower 16, FIG. 2, is biased upwardly toward the open end of the magazine by a spring 18 also illustrated in FIG. 2. FIGS. 1 and 3 best illustrate a small button 20 mounted on the follower and manually manipulated by the user in the absence of the tool of the present invention. As will apparent, the follower is moved downwardly by the exertion of downward pressure on the button 20 to accommodate cartridges inserted into the open upper end of the magazine.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the tool of the invention is indicated generally at 22 and comprises an elongated body 24 with first and second small tangs 26,28 at opposite ends which project laterally in the same direction. The tangs 26,28 are spaced apart longitudinally so that the upper tang 26 can be inserted into a slot 14 at its upper end adjacent the open end of the magazine 10 in engagement with an edge portion of the body of the magazine defining the end of the slot. The lower tang 28 is also inserted into the slot and engages the button 20 and/or the follower 16 and holds the same in its downward open position. The preferred sequence of operation is to insert the lower tang 28 first, urge the follower downwardly by moving the tool downwardly and then insert the tang 26. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the tang 26 has a small notch 29 in its side to receive an edge portion of the magazine at the upper end of the slot. This of course prevents inadvertent or unintended disengagement of the tang from the magazine.

Finally, in FIG. 6 a preferred method of use of the tool 22 is illustrated. A lanyard 30 in the form of a loop may be placed over the head of the user and loading of the magazine accomplished with the aid of the tool 22 of the invention. The magazine and tool are then moved slightly away from the body of the user and the lanyard pulls the tool free.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that an improved tool has been provided which is efficient in operation and which can be produced at economic advantage. 

1. A tool for use in loading elongated tubular cartridge magazines which have open ends for loading and discharging cartridges therefrom, elongated slots along their sides and spring biased followers reciprocal therewithin for urging cartridges toward the open ends of the magazines; said tool comprising an elongated body with first and second small tangs at opposite ends which project laterally in the same direction, said tangs being spaced apart longitudinally so that one of the tangs can be inserted into a magazine slot to engage an end of the slot adjacent an open end of the magazine with the other tang also inserted In the slot and engaging the follower and holding the same in open position against the urging of the spring for ease in loading of cartridges.
 2. A tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tang that is inserted into the slot adjacent the open end of the magazine is substantially shorter than the other tang to accommodate cartridges passing through the tubular magazine from the opening downwardly.
 3. A tool as set forth in claim 2 wherein the shorter tang has a small notch for receiving an edge portion of the magazine at the end portion of the slot adjacent the open end of the magazine thus tending to retain the tang in the slot.
 4. A tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein each follower includes a small button exposed outwardly of the slot for manual manipulation in retracting the follower for loading cartridges, and wherein the longer tang engages the button and urges the same along with the follower away from the open end of the magazine for ease in loading cartridges.
 5. A tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein a lanyard forming a loop is attached to the tool adjacent the end of the same having the longer tang, the loop being placed over the head of a user of the tool and being used in removing the tool from a magazine merely by exerting a nominal retraction force. 